Following on the Dublin post below, I think it's also worth reading about Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, a faithful Catholic who shepherded the blockbuster grand jury report indicting the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on their past and present abuse record.From an Inquirer profile of Williams:

In the 18th-floor aerie that he has occupied since taking office little more than a year ago, Williams keeps a crucifix on a side table. A trophy cabinet holds a photograph from his middle-school years as an altar server at St. Carthage Church in West Philadelphia. Prosecuting the men he calls "pedophile priests" is clearly a painful obligation."What is difficult for me with this whole investigation is that I do love my church," he said, "and I recognize that despite my efforts to try to separate the two - the bad men doing bad things who have to be held accountable [and the church itself] - there will be [ripple] effects. There will be some people who might not want to give to the [church's] development fund or the capital campaign . . . or some parents might not want their kids to be involved with some sort of activity. It pains me to know that."He said it was difficult "recognizing that in some ways, because I have to do what I have to do, it opens up a can of worms that some people will use to hurt the church or to hurt children who depend upon these programs."Williams is more than a mere member of the flock at St. Cyprian's Church in West Philadelphia. He is part of "the cardinal's cabinet," an informal board made up of about 40 or 50 prominent Catholics who advise Cardinal Justin Rigali "about what is going on in the city," Williams said.

Williams takes pains as well to praise Cardinal Rigali for his response thus far.One thing that struck me as odd was the set-up of the story, "Keeping religion out of work," which seemed to pose Williams duty to justice and the truth in opposition to his fidelity as a Catholic. He seems to see them as complementary, which I hope would be the case.

David Gibson is the director of Fordham’s Center on Religion & Culture.

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